Witnessing for Peace: In Jerusalem and the World

Witnessing for Peace: In Jerusalem and the World

The rapidly deteriorating situation in Israel/Palestine has dashed
hopes of any imminent peace or even accommodation between the Israeli
people and the Palestinian people. A leader in Palestinian
Christianity, and an outspoken advocate of nonviolence and of
Palestinian rights, Bishop Munib Younan directly addresses this
situation and its
imperatives. Born of Palestinian refugee parents and raised in
Jerusalem, Younan has spent his life pastoring Palestinian Christians
and searching for nonviolent solutions in this complex and volatile
religious and political scene.

In this volume, Younan presents first the historical and social
context of the Palestinian situation, beginning with the
not-well-known story of Arab Christianity and his own background. He
elaborates his own theology of nonviolence, centered in the idea of
martyria-heeding a call to justice, inclusion, and forgiveness. He
illustrates the notion with dramatic and often tragic episodes and
shows how it can address key issues in the current struggle with
Israel over statehood, land, and refugees. Younan's model of
Christian
nonviolence also has demonstrable benefits in addressing terrorism,
interreligious strife, and global peacemaking.

Endorsements

"This Witness for Peace from Jerusalem is a voice that
needs to be heard by all who are concerned about peace in the city and the land
that are holy for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It is an honest, moving, and deeply spiritual witness for nonviolence and dialogue as the only realistic way to reach a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. It comes from someone who was born and raised in Jerusalem's Old City, who has learned and is practicing the art of living together with neighbors of different faith traditions, and who now, as the Lutheran bishop in Jerusalem, seeks to be a living witness to the power of forgiveness rooted in God's infinite grace."
 Konrad Raiser, General Secretary, World Council of Churches

"Bishop Younan's experience and advocacy of nonviolence is a wonderful example to us all. I welcome his book and hope that it will enable us to witness for peace. Immersed in the turmoil of the Middle East, Bishop Younan is a prophetic voice as he calls us to join him in a commitment to nonviolence as the way to peace."
 Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

"Bishop Munib Younan brings a Palestinian Christian leader's fresh voice for
peace based on justice in the Holy Land. Every Jew, Muslim, and Christian
should read this book. Clear, compelling, and informative, it lays
out a framework for coexisting in harmony."
 Rateb Y. Rabie, President, Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation

Sunday, June 7 — The Holy Trinity 1st Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 1:1--2:4a

Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Matthew 28:16-20

Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

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